Dr Christopher Hobson

Christopher Hobson’s work sits at the intersection between politics, society, and technology, influenced by his time living and working in Japan. The different strands of his thinking are brought together through his ‘Imperfect World’ project, which reflects on a world of crises and change. With a background in Political Theory and International Politics, Hobson is focused on advancing open, holistic thinking that seeks to move beyond the narrow bounds of specialisation and reckon with the complexity of our global conditions.

Dr Hobson currently works in the College of Asia and the Pacific, The Australian National University. He is an Associate Professor and Program Convenor for the Bachelor of Asia Pacific Affairs, a unique undergraduate dual degree program with the College of Global Liberal Arts, Ritsumeikan University, where he also holds a Visiting Associate Professor position. While working for ANU, Hobson is physically located in Japan at Ritsumeikan’s Osaka Ibaraki Campus. He is also a Visiting Research Fellow at the Cyber Civilization Research Center, Keio University, where he has been extending his research on technology and society.

Born and raised in Australia, Hobson undertook his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University in Melbourne, before completing his PhD in the Department of International Relations at ANU.  He has spent time working in the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University (UK), the oldest of its kind in the world; the United Nations University, which serves as a bridge between the UN system and the worlds of policymaking and academia; and the School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University, one of Japan’s leading private universities. In addition to his research and teaching experience, his trajectory has given him considerable experience in establishing and managing degree programs.

Hobson has published 4 books, as well as a wide range of academic articles, book chapters, policy briefs, public commentary and analysis. For more information, see his homepage and subscribe to his Substack, 'Imperfect Notes on an Imperfect World'.

geopolitics; natural and technological risks; security studies; democracy and political theory.